“An Engaged and Constructive” policy for Europe

Austin Rathe has launched a consultation of Lib Dem members on our views regarding the European Union and the forth-coming referendum. I was quick to reply. As a long term supporter of the European Union and its aims and having played an active role in the European election campaign last year I have definite views.

The referendum is not simply about what we like and don't like about the EU, but more fundamentally about what sort of country we want to be and what role we seek to play in world affairs. A recent study rated Britain as the world's leader in "soft power", a result that supports the view that Britain is the most influential country in the world.

The whole world watched in fascination as the referendum on Scottish Independence played out last year. They will watch even more intensely when the EU referendum gets underway. For the world knows what we don't always realise - we are the cockpit of world debate on the key issues of the day. When Thatcher pioneered the radical reform of Britain in the early 80s she was a lone voice, but the world rapidly followed and privatisations and market liberalisation became policy in almost every country.

Today nationalism is on the rise. Countries are turning inwards on themselves, descending into civil wars and voices championing narrow beggar-my-neighbour policies are on the rise in all the European countries. So the referendum is not just a simple question of being IN or OUT but what sort of country do we want and what vision do we have for the future of Europe.

The vision of a federal super-state is dead. De Gaulle's alternate vision of a Europe of Nation States has become the de facto model. With 'Subsidiarity' and 'Proportionality' built into the Lisbon Treaty and enforceable in the European Court of Justice and with the need for referendums to be held in several EU countries before any further transfer of powers to Brussels the road to a federal super-state is barred.

In response to the rise of the destructive voices of the nationalist right Liberal, Social Democrat and Green parties in other countries are becoming more vocal in their support for and promotion of the European Union. As Tim Farron has pointed out our sister party in Holland, D66, made huge gains in the Dutch elections earlier this year. For the first time they campaigned with a very strong pro-European message.

In Sweden the minority Government has declared a new policy of "an engaged and constructive" role in Europe. In the agreement with the Swedish Liberal party and others signed in December 2014 this was confirmed as Swedish policy until 2022. The policy "confirms the country's gradual shift towards discussing actual policy issues, rather than discussing whether or not Sweden should be at the EU's 'core'".

Our campaign should not simply be for a "Yes" vote but for a similar change in policy and mindset by the British public. Let us assert a vision of a European Union of Nation States in which Britain seeks to be a leader.

* Mike Biden is an Executive ordinary member in Winchester. A lifelong supporter of the Liberals, he has become an activist since his retirement. His career saw him in senior corporate positions in Sales & Marketing and as a Chief Executive.